Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-02-19
ALyncher Killed.

WHEELING, w. VA, Feb. l3--Mll-
lard White, well-known mill man
of this city, roller by occupation,
was shot through the heart and in
stantly killed at place called Tim
Der Ridge. on the line of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad, thirty miles
west of Cum berland, Md, just before
daylight this morning. The shoot
ing was done by Samuel Miller, q
farmer, whom White and a number
of Others were attempting to lynch.
White left this city last Thursday
on q telegram from his brother, a
farmer living at Timber Ridge, which
stated that his mother was dead and
asking him to come at once He
left by the first train and to-day his
wife was Mortified at receiving brief
telegram that her husband, too, was
dead.
1t appears that for some time past
the little community of Timber
Ridge, which is located in Morgan
County, this state, has been excited
over scandal arising over the ac-
tions of woman, named Wallace,
who separated from her husband
some time since, and the man Samu.
ell Miller. desperate character, well
known in that vicinity. Since her
separation from her husband the
pair have been living together as
man and wife. The neighbors had
notified them several times to leave
the vicinity under penalty of coat
Of tar and feathers, but they disre-
garded the warning and continued
their relations. Last evening Wal
lace called at the house where the
pair lived, and, finding Miller in his
wife's company. used threatening
language to him. Miller drove him
away from the house at the point of
q pistol.
Wallace went to the village and
told q party of his friends, who re-
solved to tar and feather the pair.
Accordingly about O'Clock in the
morning the crowd, headed by Wal
lace and Willard White, went to the
house and ordered Miller to come
out, which he refused to do. They
then broke in the door and rushed
in, White being foremost. Miller
stood inside armed with q shotgun
heavily loaded with buckshot. He
cooked and raised the weapon and
warned the advancing crowd to leave
as he would kill the first man who
attempted to modest him. A short
parley ensued, the majority of the
men being disposed to let Miller
alone with warning that he must
conduct himself in more proper
manner.
Wallace and White, however urg
ed them to end the matter by seiz-
ing Miller, and under their advice
the mob made u rush toward the
door, headed by White and Wallace.
When they were within half a dozen
yards Miller raised his gun and DIS
charged it into the advancing crowd.
The charge struck White in the head
and breast and he fell dead. The
frightened crowd at once turned and
fled, making no effort to intercept
Miller, who reloaded his gun and
then made good his escape into the
surrounding hills. The body of
White was removed to his brothers
house, and laid beside the coffin of
his mother, while large posse of
citizens was hastily organized and
the neighboring country is being
secured for Miller. Excitement runs
very high, and if the fugitive is
found he viii not be given the bene-
fit Of a trial by jury, but will be
strung up to the nearest tree.
Mrs. White with her three children
left this city for the scene ofthe trag-
edy this evening.